Praia de Santa Bárbara

Santa Bárbara is a long stretch of black volcanic sand on the north coast just west of Ribeira Grande, and it is the surfing beach of São Miguel - exposed to North Atlantic swell, with beach breaks that work through most of the year and get serious in autumn and winter, when it has hosted international contests. A surf school, board rental and a beach bar operate at the eastern end, and there is a lifeguarded swimming area in season. The rest of the time it is a wide open beach with black sand, dunes behind and green cliffs at either end, and far fewer people than the south coast beaches. It is also a genuinely powerful stretch of water: rips are strong, the shore break is heavy, and swimming outside the flagged area is a poor idea. Ribeira Grande nearby has a bridge, churches and the Gorreana tea plantation east.

What you actually see

• The black sand - a long volcanic beach open to North Atlantic swell.
• The surf - beach breaks working most of the year, heaviest in autumn and winter.
• The contests - an international competition venue on the island's main break.
• The setting - dunes behind and green cliffs closing both ends.

When to go

June to September for swimming with lifeguards; autumn and winter for surf. Half a day. Check the flags before entering the water.

Honest expectations

Strong rips and a heavy shore break - swim only in the flagged area and only when lifeguards are on. Water is cool year-round; a wetsuit is standard. Wind and cloud on the north coast are frequent. Facilities close outside the season.

Nearby

Ribeira Grande is east; the Gorreana tea plantation is further along the coast.